CNN Reports Large Military Exercise by Iran Has Begun in the Persian Gulf

The American television network CNN reported that a large military exercise by Iran in the Persian Gulf has "begun." This report accompanies statements from a U.S. security official who says that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has started its major naval maneuvers in the region's waters since Thursday, August 2. This U.S. official added that according to Pentagon assessments, Iran has launched dozens of corvettes in the first phase of this exercise. According to the report, the exercise is taking place in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman. Reuters also confirmed this news in a report. The start of Iran's naval exercise comes a day after Captain William Urban, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army, stated that Iranian military forces have been very active recently, and all evidence suggests they would soon begin a naval exercise. The U.S. Army spokesperson had predicted that Iran would start the maneuvers within the next 48 hours, but it seems that this exercise has started earlier. Captain Urban also stated on Wednesday that the U.S. is "closely monitoring these activities and continues to work with its allies to ensure freedom of navigation and commercial transportation in international waters." The U.S. military spokesperson implicitly advised Iran to "act in accordance with international laws and regulations." The IRGC or the Iranian military has not reacted to CNN's report regarding the start of the exercise and has neither confirmed nor denied the news. Iran had also remained silent regarding the statements made by the U.S. Army spokesperson on Wednesday. Some Arab media aligned with Saudi Arabia claimed that Iran would practice "closing the Strait of Hormuz" in the ongoing exercise. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, and previously, Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, hinted last week at actions by Iran that were interpreted as a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz and even the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned last Friday that while "Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in the past," carrying out this threat would be an assault on international shipping. General Mattis stated that such an action would provoke an international response, as the international community wants shipping lanes to remain open "at any cost" and the global economy depends on energy supplies from this region. U.S. officials have stated that they currently do not detect any "malicious intentions" from Iran, but the show of force by the IRGC could raise deep concerns for the U.S. and its allies in the region. According to CNN's report, the timing of Iran's naval exercise is "unusual" because Iranian military forces, especially the IRGC, typically conduct such exercises at different times of the year. The Iranian exercise occurs at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump proposed "unconditional" negotiations with Iran on August 1 and a day later stated he "feels" Iran will soon enter negotiations with the U.S. Attention is focused on the region's waters as Saudi Arabia has changed its oil tanker routes following two recent attacks attributed to Iranian-aligned Houthis on Saudi oil tankers in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday evening that if Iran closes the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Israel will be part of a "decisive international coalition" to ensure regional security against Iran "with all its military arms." The situation in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea has become a focal point of global reports, especially as Donald Trump tweeted two months ago, citing a U.S. Navy report that Iranian maritime harassment in the Persian Gulf had reached "zero." Iranian military commanders responded by stating that the behavior of the U.S. fleet in the region has become more professional.